Naval Enhancement for Protection of Telecommunications Undersea Network Equipment Act; NEPTUNE Act
Summary
The NEPTUNE Act authorizes the Secretary of the Navy to enter into contracts for the construction of up to two submarine cable laying and repair ships. It also restricts the retirement of the USNS Zeus until a replacement ship is fully operational. The Act ensures that any contract is subject to the availability of appropriations and limits the government's liability upon termination.
Expected Effects
The immediate effect will be the potential for contracts to be awarded for new submarine cable ships. A longer-term effect is the modernization and maintenance of critical infrastructure for undersea telecommunications cable maintenance. This ensures continued operational capability in this domain.
Potential Benefits
- Enhances national security by ensuring the Navy has the capability to repair and maintain undersea telecommunications cables.
- Potentially creates jobs in the shipbuilding industry.
- Maintains operational readiness by preventing the premature retirement of the USNS Zeus.
- Supports the infrastructure necessary for global communication networks.
- Contributes to the protection of vital telecommunications infrastructure.
Potential Disadvantages
- Requires government spending, potentially increasing the national debt if not offset by other budget adjustments.
- The contracts are subject to the availability of appropriations, creating uncertainty in funding.
- The construction of new ships may have environmental impacts.
- Potential delays in construction could leave a gap in operational capability if the USNS Zeus experiences issues before the replacement is ready.
- Limited to only two ships, which may not be sufficient for future needs.
Constitutional Alignment
The NEPTUNE Act appears to align with the constitutional mandate to provide for the common defense (Preamble) and the power granted to Congress in Article I, Section 8 to provide and maintain a Navy. The Act authorizes the procurement of resources deemed necessary for national security, which falls under the purview of Congress and the Executive branch.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).